The change is normal as it aims to ensure claimants have access to their benefits before the long weekend to prevent any financial strains that delayed payments could cause
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has shared an important message to benefit claimants ahead of the second bank holiday in May.
There are two bank holidays in May – one at the beginning and one at the end. This year’s Early May bank holiday was this week and fell on Monday, May 5. As the benefits department doesn’t make payments on bank holidays, if you were due money on this day, you would have had it paid earlier on Friday, May 2. The second bank holiday in May falls on Monday, May 26. Once again, the DWP will pay benefits earlier on Friday, May 23 instead.
The change is normal as it aims to ensure claimants have access to their benefits before the long weekend to prevent any financial strains that delayed payments could cause. Last week, the DWP shared a message on X – formerly Twitter – warning them of the change in dates for payments, adding: “Please contact us straight away if there is a problem with your payment.”
This warning will also cover the next bank holiday in May too. If you’re due to be paid on a different day, you won’t need to do anything – the money will be paid into your account as normal.
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The amount you get will also remain the same, and it will also be paid into the same account in which you normally receive your benefit payment. Payment dates will return to normal after this.
If your money does not arrive in your account on the new payment date, you will need to contact the department that pays your benefit as soon as possible. You can find the relevant support numbers on the government’s official website. You can reach its Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644.
It’s important to note that support lines are not open on the bank holiday so you as the DWP has said, you will need to contact them the day the payment is due.
Depending on your bank, your benefit payments are available sometime after midnight on the day they are due. Some banks deposit money into your account around 11.30pm so you can withdraw it before midnight on benefits payday.
It’s also very important to note that although receiving your benefits earlier may sound like a good thing, it does mean that you need to make your money last longer, even if it is just by one day.
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